Never Too Soon

No in Between

POV: Harper

"No dad, I am not going to testify. If I testify and show my scars you could get in trouble too." I tried to reason with my dad. He decided to talk with our lawyer, his close friend, when they both got off of work. It's been three hours and they're still talking about it while I try to stay awake at the dinning table.

"We could tell the judge that you hid it from me by always wearing pants and that your mother threatened my life if you were to tell me. If you don't want to testify on the stand you can have pictures taken of your scars and record a statement." My dad tried to get me to give what I had that would win the case: my secrecy. By wearing pants, only I knew how bad they were. Not even my dad knows what they look like.

"I don't know, dad. I can't lose you too." I put my face in my palms.

"You won't lose him. I've handled similar cases and won with ease." Our lawyer assured me. "I also know who her lawyer is and he is a push over when it comes to facing me."

"I'll do it as long as I don't lose my dad." I closed my eyes. "It's one in the morning and you're discussing this. You two can talk all you want, but I'm exhausted."

"I'm sorry Harp, we just wanted to talk about it when I got off of work. You can go to bed." My dad apologized when he looked at his watch.

"Thank you, goodnight." I got up and went straight to my room and checked my phone to see a text from Lauren.

Lauren: Let me know if you need me to pick you up on Monday.

With it being one a.m. and her sending that at eight, I'll just wait to respond. Hopefully I won't completely forget about it.

"Do I watch tv or do I just got to bed?" I asked myself as I picked up the remote. "It's Friday, so therefore I do not have to wake up at a certain time, but I know Nan will wake me up for food."

I put the remote down.

"I have self control and if I watch one show I'll want to watch another." I turned off my lamp and waited for sleep to come, but the bitch didn't come.

I tossed and turned all night long until I finally was able to sleep, and it felt like I had closed my eyes for ten minutes when my Nan knocked on my door.

"Breakfast is ready! Pancakes and bacon! Your favorite!" My Nan yelled from the other side of my door.

I groaned loudly and checked my phone to see it was only seven a.m. and when I had last checked it it was a quarter past five. Great.

"Doesn't she realize that I'm seventeen and not six, spending the night for fun?" I asked my self in annoyance as I swung my legs over to the side of my bed and the warmth immediately left me. "So fucking cold."

I slipped a random sweatshirt over my head that I left on my bed and hoped I didn't step on a sewing needle as I slid off the side of my bed.

The carpet safely caught me and I didn't feel a pinch. My Nan had offered me slippers, but I'm not about to walk around like an old woman.

I looked over my shoulder to see the sun barely creeping through the blinds. The sun isn't even fully awake and I'm being forced to wake up.

Despite my desire to get back in bed and sleep, I knew my Nan would come back any minute and walk in till I got out of bed.

"Morning Harper!" My Gramps chirped. "Good to see you awake so early."

I wiped my eyes and nodded my head before walking into the bathroom to brush my teeth to see my dad doing the same.

"Morning." My dad spoke just before spitting his toothpaste out and scooting away from the sink to give me space. "How'd you sleep?"

"I didn't fall asleep till sometime around six, and now I'm awake at seven." I mumbled tiredly and got my toothbrush out of the cup. "I want to go back to bed. I'm not even hungry."

"I'm sorry, Harp. I shouldn't have kept you up as late as I did. I didn't realize it." My dad gave me a pitied smile. "You can go back to bed after you eat."

"You know I can't go back to sleep after waking up and functioning." I brushed my teeth quickly after he left the bathroom with a small nod.

"Harper, I made you a plate. It's waiting for you at the bar." My Nan motioned to the plate that still had steam coming off of it that sat beside a large bottle of syrup on the bar counter.

"Thanks." I gave her a tired smile as I made my way to my plate. Maybe eating a sugary breakfast will wake me up enough to get through the day.

"So I was thinking." My dad started off as he made his plate.

"Oh god." I rolled my eyes and took a small bite of my pancakes.

"Maybe you can invite Lauren over for dinner." He finished his statement.

"No. Absolutely not." I was quick to turn his idea down.

"Oh come on." He whined loudly. "I want you to pursue your crush. I'll even be your wingman."

"She isn't my crush, Dad. I'm not inviting her over for dinner." I glared at my dad.

"A guest for dinner? Sounds like a great idea! If you don't ask, I will. I love to feed people." My Nan walked in at the end of the conversation.

"Then go to the homeless shelter. I'm not inviting her over for dinner." I shot her request down.

"If you don't ask her I will find her number and call her myself." My Nan continued.

I looked over to my Gramps for support.

"Nope, not getting in the middle of it. Your Nan is scary at times." My Gramps made his plate quickly.

"Please don't do this to me." I whined.

"If you don't I will, and you know I will." My Nan looked at me sternly.

I groaned and stopped trying to fight it. If I continued so would she and it would never end. There is one person who is more persistent and stubborn than me: my Nan.

After I scarfed down my breakfast, I retreated to my room to ask Lauren a question I never wanted to ask her.

Me: Hey, my Nan wants to know if you want to come over for dinner. I don't know why, but she wants you to.

She responded almost immediately.

Lauren: I'd love to. Just let me know when and what to bring.

Me: She won't let you bring a thing, but we usually eat around five.

Lauren: I'll be there. What's the attire?

Me: I'm wearing a sweatshirt and shorts, so it's up to you.

Lauren: Sounds good. See you then.

"Lauren is coming over for dinner!" I yelled and hoped someone would hear me so I could stay in bed.

"Perfect!" My Nan yelled back.

This is either going to go very well or very bad. There will be no in between.